Maximos Charakopoulos Urges Removal of Unjust Electricity Charges for Flood-Affected Farmers

Maximos Charakopoulos, a Member of Parliament for New Democracy, is urging the cancellation of electricity charges levied on farmers affected by severe flooding, particularly those using power for irrigation wells. In a question directed to Energy and Environment Minister Theodoros Skylakakis, Charakopoulos described these charges as “provocative” and “unjust,” highlighting the frustration among farmers in flood-hit areas where irrigation systems and power infrastructure were destroyed.

Charakopoulos emphasized that many farmers, especially in the Thessaly region, are receiving electricity bills for irrigation systems that are no longer functional due to the extensive damage from the floods in 2023. Despite these irrigation systems being unusable, farmers are being charged for electricity, adding further financial burden in an already challenging time.

Key Points in Charakopoulos’ Appeal:

• He called for immediate action to cancel electricity charges and surcharges related to irrigation systems that remain unrestored due to flood damage.
• He pointed out that although the state had introduced measures to settle electricity debts for flood-affected areas (via Government Gazette B’ 3162/04.06.2024), many farmers who had paid their debts before the announcement are now receiving unjust bills.
• The MP raised concerns that these charges were levied for a consumption period stretching from July 2023 to September 2024, when the infrastructure was non-functional due to flooding.

Charakopoulos has taken the initiative to push for government intervention to exempt flood-affected farmers from these electricity bills until their irrigation supplies are fully restored. He believes this is essential to support the rural population of Thessaly, which has been significantly impacted by the disaster.

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